Attachable detachable extendable and retractable side panels for eyewear

ABSTRACT

Herein described is an adjustable protective panel for the face, attachable to the left and right shafts of any eyewear. Said adjustable panels are shaped to shield across the left and right cheeks of the wearer. Such said adjustable panels attach to the left and right support shafts of typical eyewear. The panel may have from a pair to pluralities of fasteners to attach to the shaft of eyewear and fastening mechanisms may be varied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards face protecting shields and more specifically face protecting shields attachable to the shafts of eyewear. There are many kinds of face shields available and in many different shapes. Some of them designed to be worn as a separate device unit and some of them can be augmented to other devices, such as headwear.

Driving a motorized vehicle requires the driver's undivided focus. When driving under very sunny conditions face shields can become necessary when a person desires to protect the cheeks and sideburns of the face without the need to use the hands against undesired and harmful solar rays. The hands of the person must be used to control the steering wheel of the vehicle to ensure safe driving. Under driving conditions cheek and sideburn protection has a lower priority than driving focus.

Such condition is not favorable for people who desire protection against harmful solar rays. Sure vehicles can come quipped with sun-blocking shields such as tinted glass or see-through-like anti-solar films. However the front windshield must remain uncovered, by law, and only a very small section is allowed coverage with protective layer, such as the upper 3 inches of the windshield only.

Even with all the allowable protection the driver is left exposed to the uncovered section of the windshield. Depending on the time of the day and the orientation of the vehicle when driving sunrays may not always shine on the driver straightforward. Sometimes it may shine to the persons left, diagonally left, right, or diagonally right.

The driver can wear any type of face shield when driving. However, conventional face shields cover the entire face and tend to be quite obstructive during driving conditions. The nose and mouth airways are covered. During breathe-ins and breathe-outs fog will form in the mouth and nose area creating an unpleasant look to those around the wearer, and a uncomfortable rise in temperature at the mouth and nose area from the water vapor coming from the breath-outs.

Another disadvantage of conventional face shields is that it adds an unnecessary and often undesired layer of coverage to the driver's vision. The extra layer adds more refraction to the driver's vision that can be potentially dangerous.

It the purpose of the current application to provide a more convenient way to protect the driver's face while eliminating the obstructions given by conventional face shields. The eyewear side panels according to current application provide protection to the wearer's sideburns and cheeks while leaving the mouth, nose and eyewear lens exposed.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable panels on eyewear shafts for the purpose of protecting the sideburns and cheeks of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,324, to Jannard, discloses a wearable audio device in the form of sunglasses. The speakers are attached to the left and right ear shafts. However, both shafts must have some modifications, such as drilling holes to accommodate the headphones and wiring. This method is very impractical for any eyewear with very thin ear shafts. Such modifications are also permanent.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,564,804, to Salatka, et al, 5,956,760, to Wine, et al, 6,584,614, to Hogg, 7,020,901 to Brhel-describe face shield that can be worn as eyewear. These face shields cover the entire face and are made from transparent material, such as clear plastics. However, these shields cover the entire face and can become very cumbersome under driving conditions. These add an unnecessary shield layer to the eyes. The extra added refraction caused from these said face shields could jeopardize the driver's safety on the road. When breathing out the design and shape of the shields will ensure the entrapment of water vapor causing unwanted fog for vision and the temperature inside the shield will be uncomfortably higher than outside said shields.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,530, to Shillington, discloses protective eyewear with detachable frame, lens, and shield. The shield may be added in addition while the lens are still attached to the frame of the eyewear. However, just like the previous said face shields, this also cover up the entire face and the drivers wearing the device will consequently face the same uncomfortable conditions as the previous said face shields.

The disclosed Prior Art can also provide anti-solar protection. Such coverage may be implied but not explicitly stated. Still, these said face shields cover the entire face and add an undesired cover layer for vision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

On very bright days some drivers with sensitive skin desire greater protection to the cheeks and sideburn areas. However, the front windshield of the car must remain uncovered. Conventional face shield provide unnecessary shielding to the entire face. The area around the nose and mouth get covered in fog as the person breaths out. This problem is highly undesired because the fog can increase and may eventually cover the entire shielding area thus compromising the person's vision.

A driver wearing such said face shield can become uncomfortable. With the creation of fog through the breathe-outs the air temperature in the close vicinity of the nose can increase to unwanted levels. This can give the person the feeling of breathing hot air. Also the look of wearing a face shield can make others uncomfortable as well.

Long exposure to the sun can leave unwanted tan to the cheeks, sideburns as well as to the face. This can leave an undesired itch and feel of burn to the person's cheeks and sideburns. It is the purpose of this application to provide protection to the person's cheeks and sideburns when wearing eyewear, such as sunglasses, while leaving the nose, mouth, and eyes uncovered.

The eyewear combined with retractable side panels according to the current application are comprised of eyewear and pluralities of attachable, detachable, and retractable side panels. The attachable, detachable, extendable, extendable, and retractable panels are connected to the left and right shafts of eyewear through adjusting clips. When the person desires protection then panels can be extended. When the person desires less protection the panels can be retracted to the desired comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of eyewear with the attachable, detachable extendable and retractable side panels according to current application.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-section view of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rail with a pair of female magnetic snap fasteners from the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-section view of the rail and an exploded view profile view of a female magnetic snap fastener.

FIG. 6 is an exploded profile view of the holding clip

FIG. 7 is an exploded frontal view of the holding clip.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear view of the holding clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of eyewear with attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (1) according to current application. The eyewear with attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (1) is comprised of eyewear (1 a), attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (2) held at the left and right eyewear shaft (3), a pair of holding clips (4), 4 shielding sub-panels (5). Each of sub-panel consists of 4 stoppers (7), with the outermost sub-panel (5) fitted with an additional small handle button (6) on top of the stopper (7), and the innermost sub-panel (5) being fitted with a sliding rail (9) at the rear face. The sliding rail (9) is consequently connected to the holding clips (4).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) according to current application. The attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) is comprised of 4 shielding sub-panels (5) connected to a wheel (8). The wheel (8) serves the function of holding the shielding sub-panels together and can be rotated when extension or retraction of the shielding sub-panels (5) is desired. Each shielding sub-panel (5) is comprised of 4 stoppers (7) with the purpose of preventing overextension. The outermost sub-panel (5) has a small handle button (6) attached thereto the stopper (7) located at the lower corner of the frontal side of the shielding sub-panel (5). The innermost shielding sub-panel (5) is fitted with a sliding rail (9) at the rear face on the upper side and it is not shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-section view of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) in fully extended form, and a profile view of the wheel (8) without the shielding sub-panel (5) attached thereto. The figure also illustrate a cross sectional view of a holding clip attached to the stopper at the outermost front side of a shielding sub-panel (5), and a cross-sectional view of a sliding rail attached to the innermost rear side of a shielding sub-panel (5).

When the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) is fully extended the stoppers (7) from each shielding panel (5) make contact with each other. The shielding sub-panels (5) do not make contact with each other directly. The purpose of the stoppers (7) is to prevent overextension. FIG. 3 also illustrates the unidirectional way to extend the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) by only allowing extension on the clockwise direction and retraction in the counterclockwise direction. Also as a method of preventing overextension the stoppers (7) also prevent the extension of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2) on the counterclockwise direction.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel (8). The wheel (8) is divided into 4 wheel segments (8 a), with each wheel segment (8 a) attached to a shielding sub-panel (5). All the wheel segments (8 a) are tightly and securely connected to each other. The tight connection will prevent any undesired extension of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2). The tight connection of the wheel segments (8 a) also allow any partial extension and partial retraction, as desired by the wearer, of the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2). Any means of tightly and securely form of attachment of the wheel segments (8 a) can be implemented and is implied in the current application.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sliding rail (9) with 2 female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) contained within the sliding rail (9). The female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) is confined inside the space of the sliding rail (9) but not attached to the sliding rail (9) itself. The non-attachment allows the wearer to set the desired separating distance between the holding clips (4) when attaching the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (2) to the eyewear shaft (3).

FIG. 5 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the sliding rail (9) without any female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) contained inside, and a cross-sectional view of a female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10). The female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) is smaller in height than the sliding rail (9), thus allowing confinement and freedom of movement.

FIG. 6 is an exploded profile view of the holding clip (4). The holding clip (4) according to the current application is comprised of pair of small handle buttons (6), connected to the outside of a small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13), a pair small rubber grip pads (14) attached to the inside of the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13).

The small handle buttons (6) may be attached to the small metallic non-pressure fastener by any means appropriate by the crafter and it is not stated in the current application. The rubber grip pads (14) are used to secure the holding clip (4) in place and are bendable, malleable and squeezable so that accommodation can be realizable with possibly any size of eyewear shaft (3). The rubber grip pads (14) may be attached to the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13) by any means and mechanisms. It is up to the crafter to chose any attaching mechanism therefore.

A male magnetic snap fastener assembly (11) connected at the bottom to the outside of the longer side of the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13), and a washer assembly (12) connected to the inner lower side of the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13), opposite of the male magnetic snap fastener assembly (11). The small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13) is bendable so that eyewear shaft (3) of any thickness can be accommodated. The current application provides a small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13) as a means for fastening for the holding clip (4), but the crafter may choose other materials, other than metal, and other methods to make such fastening of attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (2) possible not stated in the current application.

The bottom section of the longer side of the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13) is comprised of holes such way it can accommodate the male magnetic snap fastener assembly (11), a washer assembly (12). The attachable, detachable, extendable, retractable side panels (2) can then be fastened to the eyewear shaft (3) via implementation of electromagnetic force from the female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) and male magnetic snap fastener assembly (11). Detachment only requires relatively minor use of force by the person. Only the electromagnetic force strength between by the female magnetic snap fastener assembly (10) and the male magnetic snap fastener assembly (11) needs to be surpassed to make unfastening possible.

Mechanical fastening require mechanical contact for fastening. The small rails inside of any given mechanical female fastener need to be bent by the force exerted from the mechanical male fastener to make the connection possible. The excess for required for fastening and unfastening may damage the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (2). However, the maker of attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panels (2) may implement any kind of fastening method and tools, including mechanical fastening, which is not stated in this current application.

FIG. 7 is an exploded frontal view of the holding clip (4). The small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener (13) is shown with the bottom side accommodating a male magnetic snap fastener (11) and small handle button (6) on the top flat side.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear view of the holding clip (4). The small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener is shown with a small handle button (6) with the washer assembly (12) at the inside of the longer frontal side.

The current application is not limited to the attachable, detachable, extendable, and retractable side panel (2), shielding sub-panel (5), holding clips (4), and wheel (8) designs. Other type of side panels may be used that can be fully or partially extended and retracted. Any attaching mechanisms and materials could be used to make the proper fastening to eyewear shafts (3).

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly. Reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the forgoing specifications as indicating the scope of the invention. 

1. Eyewear combined with protective side panels comprised of: A pair of attachable, detachable, extendable and retractable side panels, each panel attached to the left and right shafts of eyewear.
 2. Eyewear combined with protective side panels from claim 1, wherein the protective side panels are comprised of: shielding sub-panels that can be expanded and retracted by sliding method, and a segmented wheel, wherein each segment of the wheel has a shielding sub-panel attached thereto, and a rail with confined female magnetic snap fastener assembly, and holding clips with handle buttons and male magnetic snap fastener assembly,
 3. Protective side panels from claim 2, wherein the shielding sub-panels are comprised of: 3 stoppers for shielding sub-panel, wherein there are 2 stoppers at one side of each shielding sub-panel and one located at the opposite side. and the innermost shielding sub-panel has a rail attached thereto, and the outermost shielding sub-panel has a small handle button attached to one of the stoppers.
 4. Protective side panels from claim 2, wherein the holding clip is comprised of: a small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener, and a pair of small handle buttons for fastening and unfastening, and a pair of rubber pads in the inner side of the small metallic non-snapping pressure fastener with the purpose of gripping, and a male magnetic snap fastener assembly, and a washer assembly.
 5. The shielding sub-panels of claim 3, wherein each shielding sub-panel is made of metal.
 6. The shielding sub-panels of claim 3, wherein each shielding sub-panel is made of plastic.
 7. The shielding sub-panels of claim 3, wherein each shielding sub-panel is made of wood.
 8. The holding clip of claim 4, wherein the small handle button is made of metal.
 9. The holding clip of claim 4, wherein the small handle button is made of plastic.
 10. The holding clip of claim 4, wherein the small handle button is made of wood.
 11. The holding clip of claim 4, wherein the rubber pads are made of synthetic rubber.
 12. The holding clip of claim 4, wherein the rubber pads are made of natural rubber. 